The feature race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Un De Sceaux has long been the antepost favourite to follow up last year’s Arkle success but he is, arguably, too short in the market at 8/11 with BetVictor and I would prefer an each way alternative. There are no less than three former winners of the race in the race; Dodging Bullets (2015), Sire De Grugy (2014) and the brilliant 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre (3.30) and it is the latter who gets the each way vote.
The selection has won both starts so far this term beating Somersby by 14 lengths on both occasions; interestingly the Mullins-trained favourite beat the admirable Somersby by a similar margin in the Tingle Creek at Sandown back in December.
The drying ground is certainly a plus for the Nicky Henderson trained 10-year-old, who goes well fresh and is reported in rude health by the yard. At 5/1 with BetVictor (1/4 odds first 3) he might not be quite the force of old but there might be one last hurrah in the gelding who, at his best, was an equine superstar.
Yanworth is unbeaten in four starts over timber for Alan King and he showed his aptitude for decent ground when fourth in the Champion Bumper 12 months ago. He is considered banker material by many but he has his quirks and I just favour Yorkhill (1.30) unbeaten in four starts under rules for Willie Mullins. The selection is a son of Presenting and should appreciate the drying ground; Mullins was contemplating the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but the selection certainly stays this 2m 4f trip and at 2/1 is taken to overturn the favourite.
No More Heroes has been considered something of a ‘Festival banker’ for much of the season, and whilst respected for the in-form stable of Gordon Elliot is overlooked on this occasion for former World Hurdle hero More of That (2.20) under Barry Geraghty. The selection is the only gelding to give 7lb and a beating to Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power and is given the od to better his Irish rival with aplomb.
Should Elliot hit the crossbar in the RSA, he can make swift amends with Diamond King (2.50) in the Coral Cup and the former Donald McCain inmate has long been a personal favourite and he improved for the step back up in trip when scoring at Punchestown back in January. At 8/1 (5 places with BetVictor) he can reward each way support.
1.30 Yorkhill
2.10 More of That
2.50 Diamond King
3.30 Sprinter Sacre
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